By 'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has strongly denied allegations that he threatened the life and safety of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, following the latter's recent New Year press conference.
In a recent interview on ARISE News' "This Week," Morka was asked about the series of attacks on Obi, particularly comments labeling the former governor as a “prophet of doom” and accusing him of engaging in “voodoo economics.” Morka clarified that these statements were not personal threats but were rather in response to Obi's continued criticism of the current administration and its policies.
Morka was asked whether his remarks, particularly those made about Obi's criticisms of the government's economic policies, had crossed the line of acceptable political discourse. In response, Morka explained:
“No, he is the one that is throwing darts. Mr. Obi is shooting from the hip. He is not looking, he is not taking aim. He just shoots wildly like what we used to see in movies back in the day, in the 'Wild-Wild-West'. He is not being rational, he is absolutely irrational in his thinking and in his public commentary," Morka stated.
He further criticized Obi for his tenure as governor of Anambra, claiming that Obi had failed to leave a lasting legacy or transformative change in the state. Morka then implied that Obi, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2023, had resorted to a strategy of “maliciously deceptive” behavior instead of reflecting on his loss to improve for the future.
Obi, who had criticized the administration’s handling of Nigeria’s political, economic, and security challenges during his New Year press conference, reacted strongly to Morka’s statements. In his address, Obi lamented the worsening state of the nation and pointed out that Nigeria remains one of the world’s most impoverished countries. He noted that the country’s GDP had dramatically shrunk, and the nation had fallen from being the largest economy in Africa to now ranking fourth.
Obi also expressed his commitment to continue speaking out against the administration’s policies, despite receiving threats against his life, family, and supporters. Specifically, Obi pointed to a comment by Morka, who allegedly warned him that “he will face the consequences” for his outspoken criticism.
Obi rejected the notion of being silenced, stating that he would not be deterred from speaking truthfully, especially in light of what he called “undemocratic practices” in Nigeria.
Morka, however, was quick to dismiss any claims that he had threatened Obi. In a statement issued following the interview, he clarified that his earlier comments were purely political and not meant to incite harm.
“It is not my style to threaten anyone. My comments were a critique of Obi’s rhetoric, not a personal threat. The media should not sensationalize political disagreements as threats of violence. As I said in the interview, Obi has crossed the line in terms of his remarks about the current government, and it is only natural for me to respond,” Morka said.
Morka reiterated that the APC remains committed to upholding democratic values and the rule of law. He further encouraged Obi to focus on constructive discourse rather than engage in rhetoric that could undermine the country’s political stability.
The exchange between Morka and Obi highlights the continuing political tensions between the APC and the opposition, particularly Obi’s Labour Party, which has been a vocal critic of the government’s handling of key issues. As the country navigates challenging economic times, such political exchanges are expected to intensify in the lead-up to future elections.
Despite the denials and clarifications, the incident has reignited discussions on the level of political discourse in Nigeria and whether it is shifting towards more combative and divisive rhetoric.
As the political landscape in Nigeria remains charged with tension, both the APC and Obi's camp are expected to continue to clash over national issues. While Morka denies any intention of threatening Obi, the public discourse is sure to evolve as the country approaches another election cycle.
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